Remember when playing Merrimack in hockey was a sure win? Now it's No. 1 in the country

Merrimack jumped to the No. 1 spot in the nation in both college hockey Division I national polls

It doesn't seem that long ago when I'd take my UMass hockey schedule, and try to figure out which games they might win, and which they might lose.

I usually waited a bit into the season to firm those up. But whenever the name MERRIMACK in capitals came up that meant UMass was at home, and I'd write a W next to it, at least that was a sure home win for UMass. Being conservative to lower any unrealistic expectations for UMass, sometimes I would only count on a split at North Andover, not because of the Warriors talent, but because of the then disgusting conditions at the Volpe Complex.

I remember Mark Dennehy's first year as the Merrimack coach, and I was a big fan of him from his days as an assistant at UMass. In particular I remember one of post-game press conferences at the Mullins Center after an easy UMass win. As Mark did his best to narrow the miles of differences in the talent of the two teams in his post-game interview, I can recall saying to myself something like - "Poor guy, how is he going to win there? How can he recruit anyone to play in that place?"

That was 2005-06. Merrimack was such a lousy draw that only 2,238 came out to the Mullins Center to see a Dec. 6 game, and 2,138 a month later for another. Maybe the kids were on break, but in any event not many people were interested. On Jan. 7, 2006, , the teams played a second of a home and home set, and a gathering of 987 was on hand in North Andover for another UMass 4-1 win. In that game, UMass defenseman Marvin Degon scored three goals, and that night came up in conversation recently when current Minutemen Conor Allen posted his hat trick against Holy Cross because so few defensemen have recorded a hat trick in UMass Division I history The Minutemen won the two games in Amherst that season, 4-1 and 5-1.

And in 2007-08, UMass swept the Warriors as well. The good old days.

But who would have thought that Merrimack's rise would be all the way to the top?. Last year was incredible enough (25-10-4, 16-8-3). But with this start of 8-0-1, 6-0-1 in Hockey East, Merrimack is the No. 1 ranked team in the country for the first time ever.

And is there ever support. The Warriors have had only four home games, and all have been sold out at 2,489 per game. Two of those games were non-conference against Atlantic Hockey opponents - Army and Connecticut.

The Minutemen don't play Merrimack this season until Feb. 4 at the Mullins Center, and then the teams meet the final weekend of the season - March 2 in Amherst and March 3 at North Andover.

And the only thing you can pencil in about that regular season finale is that the attendance will be 2,489. You sure can't pencil in a W, not anymore. The Merrimack Warriors are the No. 1 team in the country, and it's a former UMass assistant who's responsible in Dennehy.

So the Minutemen need to make their move in the playoff race early. You wouldn't want to count on that final weekend.